At our last membership meeting on January 17, 2019, we discussed a number of issues relevant to our upcoming negotiations with the company to renew our Collective Agreement. We also elected a bargaining committee – our fellow Canadian Media Guild (CMG) co-workers Bruce Spence, Dennis Ward and Dennis Rondeau, will be joined by CMG Staff Representatives Terri Monture and Bruce May at the negotiating table for this round of bargaining.

One of the significant concerns raised at the meeting is the fact that there has been no meaningful wage increase for the past three years. This is a particularly important issue for members given that a few years back, we accepted a cut to salary step-ups in aid to the company at a transitional time.

Other issues that came up at the meeting are: getting expenses reimbursed in a timely fashion, considering a relocation/moving policy with the company, and ensuring a clear and transparent process for the “Senior Designation”.

Fill out our bargaining survey to indicate your priorities to the bargaining team

We want to hear from as many people as possible – so please share your priorities with the bargaining team by filling out the CMG bargaining questionnaire (https://www.cmg.ca/en/aptn-bargaining-survey/). This will help ensure as many voices as possible are included as we prepare to negotiate an agreement that reflects members’ needs. All responses will be tallied, and we will share top priorities you identify for our negotiations with the company.

Please complete the survey and return it by Friday, March 15, 2019. If you can’t get to it on time, fill it out at your leisure and submit it to make sure your voice and your needs are heard.

While the media industry is undergoing significant change, our role as dedicated, talented media workers – especially at the country’s leading media outlet for and by Indigenous people – is vital for the success of the company, the product we deliver, and ultimately the communities we serve. The upcoming negotiations are a chance for us to work together for a collective agreement that recognizes this.